General : Hannah Calls For Review Of Allocation To Improve Senior Citizens’ Care In FT

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 11 — Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh has called for a reassessment of the Budget 2027 allocation to enhance care and welfare for senior citizens in the country. During the Putrajaya-level Federal Territories Senior Citizens’ Day celebration, she emphasized the importance of adapting existing programs to meet the unique physical and social needs of the elderly, especially those who are bedridden, live alone, or have lost their spouses.

Hannah stressed that activities should cater to the different abilities and interests of senior citizens, ranging from aerobics to more suitable alternatives. She highlighted that the needs of a 60-year-old differ significantly from those of an 80-year-old and that programs must consider these differences to effectively address their requirements.

Loneliness among the elderly is another pressing concern, as those living alone or bereaved by the loss of a spouse are at risk of social isolation and becoming targets of scams. Hannah pointed out that merely having children and grandchildren does not ensure companionship; these individuals may feel even more isolated due to the busy schedules of their families.

To combat this, she suggested that community centers and places of worship should actively engage with senior citizens who have lost their spouses, organizing follow-up activities to ensure they do not remain isolated. She further advocated for extending these efforts to senior citizens who are unable to participate in activities at Senior Citizens’ Activity Centres, ensuring that they too receive the social support they need.

Hannah Yeoh reaffirmed her backing for the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development in its initiatives aimed at empowering vulnerable groups, including senior citizens.